Garret Miller, a 36-year-old Texas man who threatened Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) on Twitter after storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, has been sentenced to over three years in prison.
Miller was among the many rioters who recorded their actions on social media posts, implicating himself by posting a selfie inside the Capitol. The Texas man had already spent more than two years in prison since his arrest, and with recognition for good behavior, he is expected to serve another eight months.
Prosecutors said that Miller helped lead the charge as rioters removed barriers and invaded the east front of the Capitol on Jan. 6. According to prosecutors, he was detained by the police twice for a short period but was released and instructed to leave as the officers were struggling to control the crowd. Instead of leaving, Miller went inside the Capitol, where he was aggressive and ignored commands as police tried to force him to leave. He opposed being forced out of the Rotunda.
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According to a report, on the night of Jan. 6, a certain Ocasio-Cortez tweeted the word “Impeach,” and Miller responded with: “Assassinate AOC.” The next day, he messaged a friend and bragged that they made Congress scared because of his response on Twitter. Shortly after the 2020 election, Miller also sent a threatening message to the Instagram account of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, writing “we are coming for you,” according to prosecutors.
According to Fox News, Miller’s attorney had asked the judge to assess time served, but prosecutors had sought four years in prison. Miller’s attorney declared in court documents that despite his client’s tweet and messages about the officer, “there is no visible sign that the Texas man made any effort whatsoever to actually harm anybody.” In a letter to the judge, Miller apologized to Ocasio-Cortez, Schumer, the officer who shot Ashli Babbitt, and the other officers Miller interacted with on Jan. 6.
Last December, Miller pleaded guilty to charges including interfering with law enforcement during a civil disorder, resisting assaulting, or impeding officers, and threatening Ocasio-Cortez. The Texas man’s case is one of nearly 1,000 people who have been charged with federal crimes related to the Jan. 6 riot, with more than 500 pleading guilty. Approximately 400 rioters have been convicted, with over half getting terms of detention ranging from seven days to 10 years.
The case highlights the serious consequences of storming the Capitol and making threats against public officials, including members of Congress.
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